After the move up from last year’s spring realignment, the Milano High School football team was looking for a tough schedule and Head Coach Chad LaGrone got his wish. The Eagles are headed to Grape-land to play their season opener this Friday, Aug. 31, and the Sandies have been chosen by several polls to win their district.
“They’re a lot bigger than us size wise,” Lagrone said about the Sandies team. “They’re bigger and talented. They have a wide receiver coming back, but if we can control and run the ball we’ll be okay.”
Sandies receiver B.J. Howard, a 6-foot, 165-pound sophomore, set records with 1,032 yards receiving and 8 touchdowns in 8 games last season. They also have returning senior quarterback Rick Frauenberger. The 6-foot-4, 180-pound senior led his team to the District II regional semifinals.
Still, the Eagles are no slouches when it comes to road games. Last year they made it all the way to the class 2A, Division II playoffs, the second time in the school’s history, and took second in District 13-2A-II.
“Our kids have lots of experience away from home,” LaGrone said. “They played three games in the playoffs last year and that helps us on the road.”
Milano’s offensive line has three returning players in the skill position and seven returning starters, according to LaGrone.
Devonte Jones, Arthur Soto and Christian Thurman will help with the Eagles passing game.
Running back Kathen Funburg is replacing, Kyle King, who was a four-year starter for the Eagles, at the quarterback position. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound senior rushed for almost 900-yards and eight touchdowns in 2017.
“They were a big part of what we did last year,” said LaGrone.
During Friday’s scrimmage against Anderson-Shiro, La Grone said the Eagles defense looked strong.
“In the scrimmage we turned the ball over too much (twice),” he said. “We were able to get up and down the field and scored a few times. We held them scoreless. Our defense looked really good.”
The Milano squad returns six defensive players: seniors Anthony Boykin and Ben King, junior Danny Cloud and sophomore Jermey Reyes.
Practice this week has been intense, according to LaGrone.
“It’s game week and our attention span has increased. Players are more attentive and more enthusiastic,” he said.
Next up for the Eagles is a home game against the topped ranked Burton Panthers in District 14-2A-II on Friday, Sept. 7.
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